Amid the ongoing Israeli attacks on Lebanon, a unique initiative, Deaf Aid is emerging to support one of the country’s most marginalized groups—the Deaf community. This grassroots effort, spearheaded by Deaf individuals and their allies, is offering vital aid to families who have been overlooked by traditional humanitarian efforts.

In an interview with Na’ila Al Hares, a sign language interpreter, educator, and manager of “Deaf Aid,” she narrates the struggles and challenges Deaf families were and are still facing amid these atrocities. “Deaf persons were left to navigate the situation on their own without any support. They cannot hear the bombings, and they do not know which areas were safe to go to.”

When the Israeli bombardment intensified on September 23, 2024, hundreds of families in South Lebanon and the Southern suburbs of Beirut were forced to flee their homes. However, for Deaf individuals, the dangers were multiplied. Social media posts and warnings, key sources of information for fleeing families, were inaccessible to many in the Deaf community. Without effective means of communication or a unified national database of people with disabilities, many found themselves struggling to access information on aid or safe shelters.

The Challenges Facing Lebanon’s Deaf Community

Lebanon’s Deaf community, already marginalized due to limited access to education, technology, and jobs, faces significant structural barriers in times of crisis. The country has no effective system to communicate, register, and aid people with disabilities, and many Deaf individuals do not even possess the disability ID from the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs. This invisibility exacerbates their vulnerabilities, making it difficult for them to access even basic services.

As Na’ila emphasizes, “There is no national umbrella for the community.” Institutions that cater to Deaf people are fragmented and often specific to certain regions, meaning displaced families do not know where to turn when fleeing. “They are more marginalized, barely able to access information on the shelters for displaced families,” she adds.

The Birth of a Lifeline: A Grassroots Initiative

This vacuum in support led to the birth of a grassroots initiative, “Deaf Aid,” that has become a lifeline for many Deaf families. The initiative was sparked by Deaf individuals reaching out to their friends and acquaintances, desperate for help. “It started with Deaf people who were displaced themselves, responding to the needs of their Deaf friends, quoting, ‘We beg you; we need food, I have starving people with me.’ That’s how it started,” Na’ila recalls.

The founding members of the initiative include prominent figures in Lebanon’s Deaf community like Hicham Salman, a globally recognized vlogger and sign language (SL) translator, Malak Arnaout, an SL translator, Abdallah Hakim, Hussein Dbouk, Caroline Haykal, and several others who have taken on different roles, from managing contacts with NGOs to distributing aid on the ground. Despite facing displacement themselves, these volunteers are using their limited resources – sometimes their own – to support their community.

The “Deaf Aid” initiative seeks to provide immediate and ongoing support for 200+ displaced Deaf families across Beirut, Bourj Hammoud, Aramoun, Bchamoun, Bekaa, Zahle, Baalbek, Hermel, Akkar, Zgharta and Tripoli and Mount Lebanon.

A Community’s Strength in Crisis

What sets this initiative apart is that it is driven by the Deaf community itself. This autonomy is crucial, as it breaks from the long-standing pattern where Deaf people are often relegated to the sidelines, dependent on hearing people for decisions. “For the first time, I saw that this is a group of Deaf people who are going to do it even if we do not step in for help,” says Na’ila. This initiative is a testament to the strength and resilience of Lebanon’s Deaf community.

While international donations are slowly trickling in, much of the support has come from local efforts. Volunteers are delivering hot meals, blankets, mattresses, food parcels, and hygiene kits to Deaf families across Lebanon. However, communication remains a major hurdle. Many Deaf people rely on video calls and photos to exchange information, as technological literacy is low. Na’ila explains, “The team doesn’t have the skills or the teaching equipment to track data and update it. This makes it very difficult for them to organize and plan.”

The hearing community, including Na’ila’s sign language students, had also stepped in to support where needed, offering technological guidance and logistical help. However, the emphasis remains on empowering Deaf individuals to lead the way. “We are not overstepping, they are the stars of the show and take credit for what they are doing,” Na’ila affirms.

Intersectional Vulnerabilities in Times of War

This initiative also sheds light on the intersectional vulnerabilities that arise during crises. Deaf women and girls, for instance, face additional stigmas around menstruation and sanitary needs. “For a Deaf woman to ask via video call from a man for sanitary pads, it is double and triple the difficulty,” Na’ila points out. The war has not only exposed these gaps but also created an opportunity to address them.

As Na’ila reflects, this moment offers a glimmer of hope despite the bleak circumstances. “We might witness the birth of a cross-sectarian, cross-cultural network of Deaf people that is completely grassroots.” For the first time, Lebanon’s Deaf community is finding its own voice amid the chaos, challenging long-standing inequalities, and leading the way toward a more inclusive future.

This initiative underscores the importance of addressing the specific needs of marginalized groups during crises. As Na’ila poignantly notes, “It is not that they cannot, it is us who did not allow them. The whole system is not made to cater to the needs of Deaf people.” This community-led effort is a step toward rectifying that systemic failure, proving that with the right support, marginalized voices can and will rise to meet the challenges of even the direst situations.

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How You Can Support

For donations, email signwithnaila@gmail.com or send via WISH Money to the following contacts:

• Hisham Salman: +961 3 666 558
• Malak Arnaout: +961 70 735 399